WEDGE TRIENNALE – 2025 – Luda CERAMIC ART

STAND WITH UKRAINE

After much deliberation I said Yes to being part of this great event to be held at the Fremantle Arts Centre and at John Curtin High School.

My hesitancy was me feeling my age, and that I still had so much to do and enjoy, apart from my ceramic career-feeling time-poor.

I think that behind all of the above thoughts and anxieties is the fact that as a woman I am always in a dilemma of how to make my priorities in life. I really cannot say if this is a woman thing or do men experience this feeling of being torn!!

I actually did a portrait piece on John Butler wondering and trying to explore this feeling, about whether he had similar dilemma’s as an artist. In the short time I had with John one day when I visited him to sign a submission so I could submit an artwork into the Lester Art Prize in Perth, it never occurred to me to ask him that question straight out. He was quite stressed that day and being who I am I thought I was a bit of an annoying figure to him on that particular day. But who knows what his real reasons were? Maybe he had a dilemma too!

Well after lots of false starts and a lovely conversation with a special Ceramic friend – I decided to throw myself into doing a Presentation for the Wedge Triennale and creating a special piece that had meaning to me as a senior Citizen approaching 80 years old ( or young- if one is slightly in denial of ones mortality).

I knew I had done a lot of hard yards in the Ceramic world and did have a lot of knowledge to offer.

Another reason, I wanted to do this Presentation was that as an Australian with a Ukrainian Heritage I was compelled to be part of the Standing with Ukraine campaign.

I wanted to leave a mark at this tragic time.

I have a friend who travels to Ukraine regularly to support the War effort. My admiration for her is enormous. Because I am torn, I cannot do that, although my heart would love to-my head is not there.